Program expands to help poor people get to work

Catholic Charities of Schenectady County recently received $570,000 from the New York State Department of Labor to expand its "Wheels for Work" program.

The agency plans to extend the program into Albany and Rensselaer counties. That will allow 100 additional cars to be given to applicants over the next three years.

"Wheels for Work" in Schenectady County has made it possible for 88 people to own their own vehicles, people who, according to Ellie Pepper, program director, would not otherwise be able to get to work and out of poverty.

On the road

"Wheels for Work" provides used, donated vehicles to qualified low-income people who "are usually referred through county agencies and general inquiries," said Ms. Pepper.

Those accepted into the program must remain employed and make $25 monthly payments on the vehicle for a period of one year. They also are required to meet regularly with caseworkers.

"This meeting serves a dual purpose," she explained. One is "verification for the caseworker that the client remains employed and is meeting program requirements. It also allows the client to receive any assistance or help he or she needs as the year progresses."

Matching up

Clients receive cars that meet the needs and size of their families, such as car seats for young children. At the end of one year, if all program criteria have been met, Catholic Charities surrenders its lien on the car and the client owns the vehicle.

"We assist the client with repairs for the first year," Ms. Pepper said, and clients can receive a one-time reimbursement for up to $400 in repairs if they are in financial need and could not otherwise pay to repair the vehicle.

For example

Misty, whose last name was withheld upon request, is the owner of a 1995 four-door Ford Taurus. She has two children, Malachi, two-and-a-half, and Abigail, one-and-a-half.

When Misty got a job with a food service company, she had to start work at 3:30 a.m. Because she does not live near a bus line, she was bicycling to work each morning. When she heard about the "Wheels for Work" program, she applied for a car.

Six months later, she has a better job in a nursing home with more pay. She told The Evangelist that the improvement in her life couldn't have happened if she didn't have her own car.

"This program has made me more independent," she said. "'Wheels for Work' is a great program. They're offering a great service to people who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford a car. I'd recommend it for anyone who needs a car and thinks they can qualify."

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for "Wheels to Work," an individual must be at least 21, a member of a family in which a minor child or pregnant woman lives, a non-custodial parent who is financially responsible for a minor child, or a care-giving relative of a minor child who is responsible for that child.

Other criteria include U.S. citizenship, lack of access to public transportation, a clean New York driver's license, ability to be insured, and completion of a defensive driving course and Consumer Credit Counseling classes.

Donated vehicles must be a 1990 model or newer, must have fewer than 150,000 miles and must be capable of being made road-worthy with less than $1,000 in repairs. Donated vehicles are tax-deductible. For information, call Ellie Pepper at 372-5667.

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